New sheriff won’t run when term expires

Billy Sharp replaces Sexton; will focus on stability, public safety

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff won't run for office.

02-23-11 -- Tuscaloosa, Ala. -- Billy Sharp, 78, is sworn in by Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ted Sexton at the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thursday, Feb. 23, 2012. Sharp retired recently from the Law Enforcement Academy. Sharp was likely the oldest police officer in the state. He's now going to work on cold case files with the homicide unit. (Dusty Compton / Tuscaloosa News)

(Dusty Compton / Tuscaloosa News)

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

Published: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:17 p.m.

Newly appointed Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Billy Sharp said that he won't run for the office.

Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Sharp on Monday to fill the remaining year and a half of Sheriff Ted Sexton's term. Sexton began a new job with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office on Monday.

The governor appointed Sharp to supervise the department of 217 employees and a $20 million budget while he considers others who have applied for the job.

"He said that he wanted the department to be stable and that he wanted time to be able to talk to people who put in applications, and also give people time to put in applications," Sharp said during a meeting with reporters Tuesday morning. "The Legislature is meeting now, it's a busy time. He wanted to ensure the safety of the people of Tuscaloosa County and wanted the department to know that everything would be running as it is with no disruption in the meantime."

Sharp's appointment as Sheriff comes after a long career of serving in law enforcement and law enforcement education.

He talked Tuesday about his time as an investigator with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. Part of his job there was to assist 40 county departments, many with small staffs and limited resources, with investigations. He worked for several weeks helping local, state and federal agencies investigate rural church fires in West Alabama in 2006.

Sharp said he did not know Bentley's timeline for conducting other interviews for the position.

"I don't know how long I'll be here. I will not be a candidate for this office," he said. "I will be here as long as needed to ensure the safety of the people in Tuscaloosa and the safety of the deputies on the street."

Law Enforcement Experience: Three years as deputy warden and administrative services officer at West Jefferson State Prison (now Donaldson Correctional Facility);

35 years, investigator for Alabama Criminal Justice Center, eight years as supervisor; One year as a cold case investigator with Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit; One year as commission members of the State of Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (present); 34 years as instructor with University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy (now APOSTC Academy);Three years working security details for Gov. Robert Bentley

Military: Army Korean War veteran 1952-1953; Alabama Army National Guard beginning in 1954, retired in 1993 as 1st Sgt. after 22 years of total service

Other: Member of First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa since 1945, life deacon; Member of Tuscaloosa Post 34 American Legion, 30 years;

<p>Newly appointed Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Billy Sharp said that he won't run for the office.</p><p>Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Sharp on Monday to fill the remaining year and a half of Sheriff Ted Sexton's term. Sexton began a new job with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office on Monday.</p><p>The governor appointed Sharp to supervise the department of 217 employees and a $20 million budget while he considers others who have applied for the job. </p><p>"He said that he wanted the department to be stable and that he wanted time to be able to talk to people who put in applications, and also give people time to put in applications," Sharp said during a meeting with reporters Tuesday morning. "The Legislature is meeting now, it's a busy time. He wanted to ensure the safety of the people of Tuscaloosa County and wanted the department to know that everything would be running as it is with no disruption in the meantime."</p><p>Sharp's appointment as Sheriff comes after a long career of serving in law enforcement and law enforcement education.</p><p>He talked Tuesday about his time as an investigator with the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center. Part of his job there was to assist 40 county departments, many with small staffs and limited resources, with investigations. He worked for several weeks helping local, state and federal agencies investigate rural church fires in West Alabama in 2006.</p><p>Sharp said he did not know Bentley's timeline for conducting other interviews for the position.</p><p>"I don't know how long I'll be here. I will not be a candidate for this office," he said. "I will be here as long as needed to ensure the safety of the people in Tuscaloosa and the safety of the deputies on the street."</p><p>Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.</p><p>William G. "Billy" Sharp Jr."s Bio.</p><p>Born: Tuscaloosa, Ala., Sept. 22, 1933</p><p>Married: Jackie Shaffer Sharp, June 1, 1955</p><p>Children: Kim Murphy, Glenn Sharp and Susan Boothe</p><p>Grandchildren: Kyle Murphy, Laura Kathryn Murphy, Haley Sharp, Anna Sharp, Robert Boothe, William Boothe</p><p>Education: Tuscaloosa City Schools, Tuscaloosa High School Class of 1951; University of Alabama, BS in Education</p><p>Law Enforcement Education and Schools: University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy; FBI National Academy, Quantico, Va., 12 weeks</p><p>Federal Corrections Academy, Denver, Colo.; 35 years of continuing education courses; eight instructor certificates to teach at Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training Academies; Birmingham SWAT School</p><p>Law Enforcement Experience: Three years as deputy warden and administrative services officer at West Jefferson State Prison (now Donaldson Correctional Facility);</p><p>35 years, investigator for Alabama Criminal Justice Center, eight years as supervisor; One year as a cold case investigator with Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit; One year as commission members of the State of Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (present); 34 years as instructor with University of Alabama Law Enforcement Academy (now APOSTC Academy);Three years working security details for Gov. Robert Bentley</p><p>Military: Army Korean War veteran 1952-1953; Alabama Army National Guard beginning in 1954, retired in 1993 as 1st Sgt. after 22 years of total service</p><p>Other: Member of First Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa since 1945, life deacon; Member of Tuscaloosa Post 34 American Legion, 30 years;</p><p>Chairman of the Tuscaloosa County Civil Service Board for 24 years</p>